28th annual Thomas Jefferson Awards held February 11 in Richmond

January 6, 2015

The Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville held its 28th annual Thomas Jefferson Awards ceremony to be held February 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. The event was sponsored by Bruce Wingo, the Marjorie Sutton Memorial Foundation, Bassett Furniture, and the VMNH Foundation.

Harold Closter, director of the Smithsonian Affiliations program served as keynote speaker at the event.

The VMNH Foundation Thomas Jefferson Awards ceremony is a statewide event that honors individuals and corporations for outstanding contributions to natural science and natural science education.

The 2015 Thomas Jefferson Awards recipients are:

The Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science was presented to Dr. Paul E. Olsen, Arthur D. Storke Memorial Professor, Columbia University. This award is presented to an individual who has consistently made outstanding contributions to natural science.

The Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science Education was presented to Dr. Julia H. Cothron, Executive Director (retired), MathScience Innovation Center. This award is presented to a Virginia educator who has made significant contributions to natural science education at any academic level.

The William Barton Rogers Corporate Award was presented to the American Electric Power. This award is given to a corporation that has shown significant support for the natural sciences in Virginia, through contributions to: Research, science education, or other relevant programs of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

The Thomas Jefferson Award for Conservation was presented to the National Geographic Society. This award is given to an individual or organization who has shown significant support for the natural sciences in Virginia, through contributions to: Research, science education, or other relevant programs of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.